Pictured: Congressman Vern Buchanan and Gulf Coast Builders Exchange Executive Director Mary Dougherty.

The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange (GCBX), a not-for-profit construction industry trade organization, recently held its 70th annual installation and awards dinner with guest speaker Congressman Vern Buchanan. On Monday, Feb. 28, over 400 GCBX Members packed the room at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota to hear Congressman Buchanan provide an overview of issues facing the federal government and matters of interest in the construction industry. Frederick Derr, Chairman & CEO of Frederick Derr & Company, was honored with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award, granted to members in recognition of a lifetime of distinguished service and contributions to the GCBX, the commercial contracting industry and the community. GCBX’s current chairman, Michael S. Bennett, Supervisor of Elections for Manatee County, passed the gavel to the incoming chairman Mark Freeman, President, McIntyre Elwell & Strammer General Contractors. The surprise Chairman’s Award was presented to Marlon Brown, Sarasota City Manager and Jared Hawkins with Atlas Insurance received the Volunteer of the Year Award.

Pictured: Congressman Vern Buchanan and Gulf Coast Builders Exchange Executive Director Mary Dougherty.